Why You Should Eat Avocado Seeds

Avocado seeds have more antioxidants than most fruits and veggies and contain polyphenols similar to those found in green tea. They are full of more soluble fiber than most foods, which aids in digestion and circulation. In South America, avocado seeds are used to treat dysentery and other GI tract problems. The seeds contain lots of phenolic compounds that can prevent bacterial and viral diseases as well as gastric ulcers.

Eating the seeds may also aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Avocado seed lowered cholesterol levels and may protect against arterial plaque formation, according to astudy published in the March 2012 journal Plant Foods in Human Nutrition. Researchers credited the seed’s high content of dietary fiber in lowering cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in the intestinal tract and preventing absorption.

Avocado seeds contain a range of antioxidant phytochemicals, including flavanols and proanthocyanidins. These important antioxidants protect your body from free radicals associated with aging and disease. A 2003 studyfound that the seed of an avocado is much higher in antioxidants, as much as 70 percent greater, than the fruit itself.

Avocado seeds also have natural antibiotic and anti-fungal benefits. According to one study, avocado seed extracts inhibited an assortment of pathogens, including Candida and the mosquito that carries the tropical disease, yellow fever.

Reap the health benefits of avocado seeds today:

Step 1

Cut the avocado and remove the pit. To do this, slice into the avocado and cut it around the pit to remove the halves cleanly. Then insert the tip of your knife into the pit, twist and remove carefully, removing from the end of the knife. Use the avocado on sandwiches or in dips, remembering to save the pit.

Step 2

Grind the pit into a find powder using a very powerful food processor. The pit is very dense and hard and can damage a weaker food processor. It should have very sharp blades and be contained completely.

The seeds can also be dried in a plastic bag. Once dried, crush them with a hammer and grind in a heavy duty blender. The seeds can also be sliced and roasted in the oven. Avocado seeds are bitter, so the best way to eat them is to add them to smoothies or juices.